Tuesday, December 10, 2013

{moving to Paris}



At the end of this week we leave for the annual ski trip with Chris' grad school (you might remember seeing photos from last year's theme-filled trip here, here or here) and after that we head straight to LA/Orange County for Christmas............ but right before New Years Eve we hop on a flight and will be heading TO PARIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Even as I write that it doesn't quite feel real.  In the past year and half since moving to Chicago, we have gotten some amazing opportunities and had some once in a lifetime experiences, but this one truly takes the cake.  Chris will be taking the winter quarter to study abroad at a business school in France and so we will be living in Paris for 3 full months!  We found an adorable (aka tiny) apartment right in the middle of the 7th arrondissement using Airbnb

I will definitely still be blogging in the time that we are living there, although the content will be slightly different as you might expect.  I really pride myself on trying to create original content for the majority of the posts here and those generally center around our home decor and entertaining so while those kind of posts will be much fewer I still have plenty of fun posts planned for our time there. 

Right now the biggest priority in my life is trying to stuff as much of my closet as I physically can into only two suitcases.  I have been pinning interesting activities to this pinterest board as well as eliciting "must-do" lists from some of our friends who have travelled in France or even lived there.  

Do you have any favorite lesser known places that I must visit/try/see?!?! Pretty please leave any and all suggestions for us in the comments!








All images via one of my new favorite blogs, Paris in Four Months

19 comments:

  1. So excited for you both, can't wait to see what adventures await you in Paris!

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  2. SALUT! Amazing - amazing - amazing! You will love it and it will be neat to see how Paris influences you. I am hoping to spend a few summers in Paris with my kids, when they are a little older. Can't wait to read about your experience.

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  3. Fantastic! My parents were lucky enough to relocate to Paris for a few years for my Dads job. I have endless ideas for you. Email me at codebrowndr@gmail.com and I will send you a list. Chicago will miss you.

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    1. Hi Veronica! I will definitely email ya for some suggestions! Thanks!

      -Natalie

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  4. Can't wait for your Paris blogging! I used to live in the 7th and it was amazing, it's so easy to get around from there, but still not too touristy like being in the 1st, or 5th and 6th. Definitely check out the open air market on Rue Cler. It's great for picking up up a few quick items for a picnic on the Champs de Mars or in front of the l'hopital des invalides. Is he going to AUP, by chance?

    Hotel Costes is a fun (and expensive) place for a drink. But it's worth going just for the cool parisian lounge vibe. Georges, a restaurant on top of the pompidou center is also super fun for a nice dinner out.

    I'm so jealous!

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    1. Hi Lauren,

      We are so excited to live in the 7th! I will definitely put Hotel Costes on my list- I looooove a good hotel bar! :)

      Thanks!
      -Natalie

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  5. How exciting! A dream come true. Looking forward to your Paris posts!

    xoxo,
    La Petite Gigi

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  6. What a dream!!! So excited for you guys and I know your posts will still be nothing short of fabulous!

    Champagne Lifestyle on a Beer Budget

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  7. Congrats! What a very exciting time! I'm really looking forward to reading about your adventures in Paris. I visited for a week a little over a year ago and it was pretty magical. I can't imagine being able to stay for longer and become immersed in the culture.
    Out of curiosity, do you speak French at all? :)

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    1. HI Rachel,

      Neither my husband or I speak French, but I did take it for 4 years in high school so I am somewhat familiar! Hoping it all comes flooding back to me once we are there :)

      -Natalie

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  8. Oh my how lovely! Such an amazing move with endless beauty!

    xo

    www.PlumPrettySugar.blogspot.com

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  9. Oh my goodness, that will be such an amazing experience! I'm so happy for you!!

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  10. OMG! That is such an amazing opportunity! I hope you have an incredible journey and I can't wait to follow along! Bon voyage!

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  11. Be sure to go to Hotel D'Aubusson in the Left Bank. Go before dinner for cocktails or after for hot cocoa and sit in front of the huge, old fireplace in the Grand Salon. There is a street right next to the hotel called Rue Christine, which is the street that inspired the book, The Perfume Collector (a must read while you are in Paris) and there is an amazing restaurant called La Rotisserie D'en Face by the now famous Jacques Cagna. Have the frog legs, have the escargot, and don't leave without having the chicken in pastry for dinner. The decor is nothing to write home about at the restaurant - but the food is superb and the street and hotel are quintessential Paris, IMHO. Right around the corner is Mariage Freres, and they have an amazing tea salon upstairs that is not to be missed. Enjoy

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    1. Thank you so much for all the amazing suggestions Chloe! Adding them to our list right away- especially cocktails in front of a huge fireplace!

      -Natalie

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  12. How exciting! I am dying to go! Read Paris My Sweet by Amy Thomas (if you haven't already) not only is it a fun, entertaining read, it will give you great ideas for delicious Parisian sweets.

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    1. Will definitely add it to my kindle- im going to need a solid amount of reading for the long flight!

      Thanks
      Natalie

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